A FEROCIOUS storm is set to pound Britain from tomorrow with 100mph winds and blizzards before another arrives in time for Christmas Day.

Forecasters gave the ominous double warning as two vast weather depressions edged towards the UK.

The second is expected to lead to an extremely stormy festive period over the entire country.

But while severe gales and rain are expected to batter Britain into December 25, it is highly unlikely to bring a white Christmas, with any snow in the North turning back to squally showers, forecasters said last night.

The first of the two sprawling weather systems, known as Storm Emily, will begin sweeping across the UK tomorrow night, bringing gale-force southerly winds across Wales and western England.

Winds will increase in ferocity with the worst conditions north of the border, where gusts of up to 100mph could cause structural damage.

As temperatures fall, heavy rain will quickly turn to snow, leading to blizzard conditions across higher ground in the North. Forecasters named the first storm after Wuthering Heights author Emily Bronte, who died 165 years ago on Thursday – the day the weather system is expected to be at its worst.

And they predicted the biggest gusts could be between 80 and 100mph. Last night the Met Office issued severe weather warnings for Wednesday night.

A spokesman said: “Severe gale force winds are likely to affect parts of Northern Ireland, central and northern Scotland on Wednesday night and early on Thursday gusts may exceed 80mph locally.

Steve England with early fruiting raspberries in Bristol [SWNS]

The wind will lead to large waves with some coastal over-topping possible. In addition, persistent heavy rain will quickly clear from Scotland leaving squally wintry showers

A spokesman

“The wind will lead to large waves with some coastal over-topping possible. In addition, persistent heavy rain will quickly clear from Scotland leaving squally wintry showers.

“The public should be aware of the potential for disruption from this combination of weather events.”

Yesterday commuters and Christmas shoppers battled high winds which whipped across southern England, causing blackouts and downing trees which blocked roads, while southern coasts were also hit.

However, temperatures have so far been unseasonably mild. The balmy conditions, particularly in the South, have led to the premature growth of raspberries, apples and other fruit which have been “tricked” into thinking it is already spring.

Early snowdrops – that usually flower in February – have also been seen, with temperatures in the South reaching 57F (14C) yesterday – typical weather for April.

But the warmer conditions have fuelled the severe weather patterns crossing the country.

Stormy seas at Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight [GETTY]

After Emily, long-range forecasters warned that a second system – set to sweep in just before Christmas Day – could be equally powerful, with high winds and rain.

Weather Channel forecaster Leon Brown said: “There will be a lull in the winds (today) with a ridge of high pressure over the UK, and the best day of the week for much of the UK, although some rain may linger over the far South-east in Kent and East Sussex.

But winds then increase again for tomorrow with strong to gale force southerly winds by evening across Wales and western England.

The weather front expected on Christmas Day [PA]

“The storm to watch, which we are naming Emily, will swing past Northern Ireland to north-west Scotland late tomorrow night to early Thursday.

“The areas at most risk are the far north of Ireland to western Scotland in the early hours of Thursday. Peak mean speeds may reach 60 to 70mph over the Hebrides with gusts of 90 to 100mph.”

There were warnings it could mean treacherous driving conditions with widespread travel disruption.

But after Emily has passed, he warned that the country will then be hit by the second system in the run-up to Christmas week.

“The next stormy period then looks like Christmas Eve to Christmas Day with a very deep low pressure system moving further south.

There could be severe gales across the southern half of the UK on Christmas Day.”